environment

TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 7, 2012

The first week of 2012 started with the first presidential voting of the cycle, and our coverage included Dehn's videos of Rick Perry's "reassessment" and "next leg of the marathon" speeches, Ramshaw's reporting on the rationale behind his decision and Root's analysis of just what happened in the hours after the Iowa results came in, plus Galbraith on the Texas critters that might be added to the endangered list, Tan's look at new laws regulating payday lenders, Hamilton on an impending battle over tuition increases at UT, and Murphy with a new data map using the latest Census numbers for Texas: The best of our best content from January 2 to 6, 2012. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Ben Hasson
Endangered Species Conflicts Loom in 2012

By Kate Galbraith Jan. 6, 2012

The recent kerfuffle over the sand dunes lizard in the West Texas oilfields may be nothing compared to what's coming. Across Texas, dozens of species are under consideration for a possible endangered species listing. Full Story

Credit: Eric Schlegel
To Fix Gas Wells, States Looking to Texas Wranglers

By Dave Fehling, Houston Public Media, and Scott Detrow, The Texas Tribune Jan. 5, 2012

Natural gas drilling is booming across the country. But when a well blows out or catches fire, who gets called to fix it? Dave Fehling and Scott Detrow of StateImpact Texas report on the Texas wranglers busy capping wells in states like Pennsylvania. Full Story

Credit: Joseph Bourk
At UT, a Possible Breakthrough in Solar Power

By Mose Buchele, KUT News Jan. 3, 2012

The solar-energy industry faced several setbacks in 2011. But as Mose Buchele of KUT News and StateImpact Texas reports, one UT professor thinks he's found a way to exponentially increase the amount of energy harvested from solar technology. Full Story

Credit: Mike Baker
Court Stays Cross-State Rule for Texas

By Kate Galbraith Dec. 30, 2011

A federal court ordered Friday that the Environmental Protection Agency's controversial cross-state air pollution rule be stayed — to the delight of Texas officials and the chagrin of environmentalists. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Bob Daemmrich/Todd Wiseman
Year of Drought and Heat May Leave Long-Lasting Damage

By Mose Buchele, KUT News Dec. 30, 2011

The statewide drought, and the accompanying extreme heat and severe wildfires, made 2011 a historic year for Texas. But as Mose Buchele of KUT News and StateImpact Texas reports, some effects of this year's weather will likely be felt for years to come. Full Story

Credit: Earl McGehee
Texas Electric Grid Faces More Uncertainty in 2012

By Kate Galbraith Dec. 23, 2011

Will the lights stay on in 2012? Even Texas grid operators, who are coming off a tumultuous year, cannot say for certain. A lot will depend on the weather — namely, whether the state suffers through another piping-hot summer. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune
Weekend Insider: Texas Energy Shortage, Perry's Cost to Taxpayers

By Justin Dehn Dec. 22, 2011

In this episode of Weekend Insider, reporter Kate Galbraith talks about whether Texas will have enough electricity to make it through another hot summer. And reporter Jay Root tries to track down just how much Gov. Rick Perry's run for the White House is costing Texas taxpayers. Full Story
Despite Drought, Trinity River Still Flowing

By Dave Fehling, Houston Public Media Dec. 22, 2011

In a curious development amid the year's record-setting drought, the Trinity River — which runs south from Dallas and empties into the Gulf just east of Houston — has kept on flowing. Dave Fehling of KUHF News reports on where all the water is coming from. Full Story

Credit: David Ingram
Texas Greens Cheer New EPA Mercury Rules

By Kate Galbraith Dec. 21, 2011

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new rule on Wednesday aimed at reducing the amount of mercury and other toxic emissions from power plants. It is unlikely to improve Texas officials' low opinion of the federal agency. Full Story

Credit: Tom Pennington
Tree Ring Study Warns of Long Droughts

By Kate Galbraith Dec. 21, 2011

A new study of tree rings indicates droughts are typically a once-a-decade phenomon in Texas and that the state has had several "mega-droughts" lasting 15 to 30 years over the centuries. Full Story

Credit: Tina Kolesnik
Building Codes to Tighten Across Texas

By Kate Galbraith Dec. 19, 2011

In January, Texas will adopt a statewide building code that should cut the energy consumption of new single-family homes by more than 15 percent — and big cities like Houston are jumping even further ahead. Full Story

Credit: Muliadi Soenaryo
Texas Could Feel Effects of Alarming Wyoming Fracking Study

By Mose Buchele, KUT News Dec. 16, 2011

A report from the Environmental Protection Agency showing that gas drilling led to water contamination in a Wyoming town sent shockwaves through the energy industry this week. Mose Buchele of KUT News reports on what the findings could mean for drilling in Texas. Full Story

Credit: Kara Newhouse
Price Caps at Center of Energy Debate

By Dave Fehling, Houston Public Media Dec. 14, 2011

Though a state commission is considering raising the cap on energy prices, Dave Fehling of KUHF News and StateImpact Texas reports that some think allowing rates to rise won't be enough to ensure that companies can keep building plants in a state that keeps on growing. Full Story
Fracking Disclosure to Start in February

By Kate Galbraith Dec. 13, 2011

Rules requiring the disclosure of chemicals used in the controversial hydraulic fracturing process will take effect in Texas in February, the Texas Railroad Commission decided on Tuesday. Full Story
2011: A Bad Year for Ozone Pollution

By Kate Galbraith Dec. 11, 2011

Levels of lung-damaging ozone spiked this year across Texas, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Scientists are still trying to understand why, though the hot weather is likely part of the cause. Questions are also rising about the ozone impacts of oil and gas drilling. Full Story

Credit: Justin Cozart
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 10, 2011

Root on Rick Perry's controversial new ad, Tan on the fallout, Aaronson's map of where the food stamps go, my interview with Stephen Colbert's campaign finance lawyer, Aguilar on the drop in the number of illegal immigrants crossing into Texas, Hamilton on the growth of unregulated colleges, Galbraith's interview with S. David Freeman on the environmental failures of public power, Grissom on the newest state agency and and Hamilton and M. Smith on a sudden change at the top of UT's law school: The best of our best content from December 5 to 9, 2011. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Plea for Donations Highlights Worries Over Park Funding

By Matt Largey, KUT News Dec. 8, 2011

State officials launched a campaign this week soliciting donations to help fund Texas parks, which saw a drop-off in visitors this year because of record heat and wildfires. Matt Largey of KUT News reports. Full Story

Credit: Earl Nottingham / Texas Parks and Wildlife
Jon Wellinghoff: The TT Interview

By Elizabeth Titus Dec. 7, 2011

The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on managing wind energy, how electric cars could change the grid and what he's learned by monitoring his electricity consumption at home . Full Story
Parks Department Appeals to Texans for Budget Help

By Susannah Jacob Dec. 6, 2011

Only you can help Texas parks recover from devastating wildfires and a dropoff in visitor-generated revenue, the state parks department says. The agency launched a campaign today asking for donations to help fill a $4.6 million budget hole. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich